Gold and Jade

On a trip to Guatemala, our group took a tour of the Jade Factory in Antiqua.  We heard a short lecture on Jade and the history of its importance to the Mayans and to Guatemala.  When the conquistadors came to the area, they were looking for gold.  When the Mayans offered them what they had of value, Jade, the conquistadors didn't seem to understand or perceive the value of it because it wasn't what they valued.

So in telling this story and how it might shape how we engage with others in foreign cultures or foreign situations- be present to what others value and don't be driven only by what you want or perceive as valuable in new interactions, I heard a couple interpretations of the allegorical nature of the story:

1.  Right, so we should understand what the other folks have so then we can exploit that!

2.  Well, yeah, but gold is more valuable than jade.

3.  You think too much.

So what is the take away from this little epiphany for you?  That we shouldn't let what we are looking for obscure what's there?  That we should try to find out what they have so we can exploit it, but so that it can be honored, activated, and offered to the good and health of the community?  What is value?  That we shouldn't over-think things?